Home Is Where the Couch Is: Photos by Natcha Wongchanglaw

Although accommodations vary greatly from couch to couch, one thing is always certain: there’s usually no picture of where you’ll be sleeping. Instead, descriptions written by hosts usually give an idea of ​​what to expect—be it a private room, a couch, or sometimes even sharing a bed with the host. This lack of certainty makes each couch stay feel like its own unique experience, shaped by the host and the space they provide.

Each photo in the series features a different host—someone from a faraway land with a unique story, job, and lifestyle. The range is fascinating: a free-spirited woman in Mexico who works on Booking.com and parties every night, a government speechwriter in Canada and a nudist in Brooklyn. Natcha’s lens captures not only the hosts but the subtle dynamics that come with living under someone else’s roof—sometimes cozy, sometimes awkward, but always deeply personal.

The project began during Nacha’s time at art school in New York, where he turned to couchsurfing as a way to ease the loneliness of starting over in a new city. For him, it was more than a way to find a bed for the night — it was an opportunity to connect, learn and grow. The series is a portrait of these connections—some fleeting, others permanent—and ultimately, a reflection on how we’re all looking for a place to call home.